Electrically operated control device



Dec. 31, 1940. R. L. GUNTER 2,225,856

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Filed Aug. 12, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 95 Bose-2r L. GU/VTEQ,

Dec. 31, 1940. 'R, L. VGUNTER 2,226,856

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED CONTROL DEVICE Filed Aug. 12,- 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 08527 4. GuNTE E,

50 holding the selected one of the members to be Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,226,856 ELECTRICALLY OPERATED CONTROL nEvroE This invention pertains to electrically operated control devices.

A general object of the invention is to decrease power consumption .and noise in an electrically operated control device by providing such a control device with a main operating coil which operates only during movement of a member to be controlled and providing a holding coil of lesser dimensions than the main coil to hold the member to be controlled in the position to which it has been moved by the main operating coil.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide an electrically operated control device having a plurality of members to be controlled which are all moved to one position by the action of a main operating coil and are selectively held in the one position by the. action of individual holding coils of lesser dimensions than the main operating coil.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide, according to one embodimentthereof, a solenoid operated valve having a plurality of ports each opened and closed with a separate valve plunger, with a main operating solenoid for simultaneously moving all of the plungers to a position opening the ports when a selected one of the ports is 'to be maintained open, and with a separate holding solenoid for holding the selected one of the plungers in its position opening its associated port when the plunger is moved to the last-named position and the main operating solenoid is deenergized.

Another object of the invention is to provide,

.an electrically operated control device with movable actuating means operated by a main operating coil for engaging a plurality of members to be controlled and simultaneously moving said members to one position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrically operated control device with a plurality of members to be controlled which, upon the selection of any one of the members to be controlled for holding in one position, will cause energization of a main operating coil which will through movable actuating means move all of the members to be controlled to their corresponding one position and which'will then cause deenergization of the main operating coil and allow the unselected ones of the members to be controlled to return to their original positions while controlled through the action of an individual holding coil. v

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved solenoid operated control device in which a member to be controlled is moved to one position by a main operating solenoid through the main solenoid.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will either be brought out specifically in the ensuing description or will be apparent therefrom. I

My apparatus comprises one'or more members to be controlled such as valve plungers, levers or the like, each of which is movable from a first position to a second position and is biased toward its first position. A separate holding coil is provided for each member to be controlled and is adapted to hold that member in its second position when energized by an electric current and after its associated member has been moved to its second position. A main operating coil, usually of greater dimensions than a holding coil, is

adapted upon electrical energization to move movable actuating means associated with each member so as to move said actuating means away from a rest position to cause it to move each member toward its second position where a selected member is held through the action of its associated holding coil. Suitable switch means is provided for deenergizing the main operating coil when a selected member is in its second position. This allows a selected one of the members to be held in its second position by itsassociated holding coil. Upon deenergization of the main operating coil, the movable actuating means thenretums to its rest position independently of any member, although any member not held will, due to its bias, return to its first position at the same time. The switch means is preferably operated by the movement of a selected one of the members either by mechanical or magnetic action, as will be brought out more fully subsequently. My apparatus further comprises a plurality of electric circuits associating the main operating coil and each holding coil, including selector switch means for initiating the operation of the main operating coil andcausing I through a variable flow valve .which embodies construction according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view like Fig. 1, with parts of the valve omitted, illustrating a modified switching arrangement;

Fig. 3 is a partly diagrammatic sectional elevation of a variable flow valve embodying a modified form of construction for holding the valve plungers; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view like Fig. 3 illustrating a further modified form of construction for holding the valve plungers.

Referring to Fig. l, a variable flow valve is shown as comprising a casing lll'provided with inlet and outlet openings II and I2 and with a partition |3 bored to provide valve openings or ports |4, l5, and I6. Valve plungers l1, l8, and I9, comprising members to be controlled, extend through a removable cover Illa for the easing I0 and are provided with valve closures fi la, and Na, respectively, for closing the respective valve openings |4, I5, and I 6 when the plungers l1, I8, and I9 .are in their first or down positions, to which positions they are biased by the action of gravity or by other equivalent means. The upper ends of the respective plungers are provided with flangeportions IIb, |8b, and I9?) of magnetically permeable material, which may be threadedly secured to the plungers to provide for facile disassembly' of the device. These flange portions serve the dual purpose of acting as magnetic armatures' to hold the respective plungers in their second positions holding open their respective valve openings and also providing projections for engagement with movable actuating means for lifting the valve plungers to their respective second positions, as will be brought out more fully hereinafter. The upper ends of the respective valve plungers are also provided with push pins I10, I90, and H0 of brass or other non-magnetic material, which may be considered as extensions of said members and which extend through cores 2|, 22, and 23, respectively.

The cores 2|, 22, and 23 are shown held in position between insulating strips 24 and 25 which are positioned in notches provided in the walls of a frame member 26 which is removably secured to the casing l0 through the agency of screws 21 extending into the cover I011. The cores 2|, 22, and 23 are positioned within individual holding coils or solenoids 3|, 32, and 33,

which are shown positioned between the strips 24 and 25 and the windings thereof are suitably insulated from one another and from the cores.

Suitably secured to the frame 26, or otherwise positioned above the holding solenoids, is a main operating coil or solenoid 34 which is preferably positioned with its axis parallel and in the same plane as the axes of the holding solenoids. The main solenoid 34 is provided with a longitudinally movable core 35 of magnetically permeable material which is secured to movable actuating means such as a rectangularly shaped yoke 36 positioned about the holding coils and provided with openings or slots through which the valve plungers I1, I8, and I9 extend. The openings or slots are of such size as to allow free sliding movement of the plungers and yet engage the flanges I11), I81), and |9b so as to lift the respective plungers upon upward movement of the solenoid core 35.

The holding solenoids are provided with separate switch means comprising movable spring contact arms 4|, 42, and 43 respectively, which are mounted on the insulating strip 25 and normally engage lower contact members 4|a, 42a, and 43a respectively. The lower contact members are also mounted on the insulating strip 25 and electrically insulated from one another and from the spring contact arms. Suitably mounted above the insulating strip 25 is another insulating strip 44 holding fixed contacts 4|b, 42b, and 43b, adapted to be contacted by the spring arms 4|,42, and 43 respectively upon the upward movement thereof.

My apparatus further comprises a plurality of electric circuits which are adapted to be selectively energized to cause movement of the valve plungers, l1, l8, and H? to their second positions, and the selective holding of one or more of the plungers in their second positions. For the purpose of supplying electrical energy to the respective coils I have shown a transformer 45 provided with a primary winding 41 which may be connected to a source of power through leads 48. The transformer is further provided with a secondary winding 49 of which one lead 5| is connected through a conductor 52 to one side of the main operating solenoid 34 and through a lead 53 to one side of each of the holding solenoids 3|, 32, and 33. The remaining lead 54 of the secondary 49 is connected to one side of each of three switches 55, 55, and 51. The other sides of these switches are respectively connected through conductors 58, 59, and BI to the spring switch arms 4|, 42, and 43.- The lower fixed contacts 4ia, 42a, and 43a are shown connected together by a conductor 62 which is connected through a conductor 63 to the remaining side of the main operating solenoid 34. The upper fixed contacts 4|b, 42b, and 431) are connected to the remaining sides of the respective holding solenoids 3|, 32, and 33 through conductors 64, 65, and 66.

Assuming for example that it is desirable to restrict the flow through the casing H] to that obtained with only one of the valve ports by raising the plunger I! for example and holding it in its second position, switch 55 is closed. Thiscompletes a circuit through conductor 58, switch arm 4|, contact 4|a, conductor 62, conductor 63, solenoid 34, conductor 52, lead 5|, and transformer secondary 49, back to switch 55. This energizes the solenoid 34 and causes movement of the core 35 in an upward direction which lifts the yoke 36, causing the same to engage the flanges I'Ib, H31), and Hit), of the plungers |1, I8, and I9 and lift them to a position where the magnetically permeable flanges ID, 8b, and I9?) are in close proximity to the holding solenoid cores 2|, 22, and 23, and at the same time causes the push pins I10, I80, and |9c to lift the spring contacts 4|, 42, and 43 so that they break connection with the fixed lower contacts 4|a, 42a, and 43a. The momentum of the plungers causes the respective spring contacts 4|, 42, and 43 to establish connection with the upper fixed contactsflb, 42b, and 43b so that although the circuit to the main lifting solenoid is broken when the push pin |1c causes the spring contact 4| to break the connection with the fixed contact 4|a, contact will still be established between the spring contact 4| and the fixed contact MD. This establishes a circuit through the individual holding solenoid 3| which may be traced from the transformer secondary 49 throughconductors 5| and 53, holding solenoid 3|, conductor 64, contact 4Ib, spring contact 4|, conductor 58, switch 55, and lead 54.

When the holding solenoid 3I is energized, the magnetically permeable flange IIb is sufliciently near to the solenoid core 2| that the plunger Il will be held in its second position opening the valve port I4. Since the circuit through the main solenoid 34 has now been broken, its core 35 and the attached yoke 36 which is biased to a plungers (I8 and I9) will also return totheir first positions closing their respective ports I5 and I6.

Each of the conductors 58, 59 and 6| is part of a main circuit through the main coil 34 when energized through the selector switch means comprising switches 55, 56, and 51'. Each of these main circuits is divided into a pair of parallel-connected branch circuits. One of these parallel-connected branch circuits leads through the main coil and the other leads through the particular holding coil associated with that main circuit. The connection froma main'circuit to either branch circuit is accomplished through the spring switch arm to which the main circuit is connected. Thus the spring switches are operable to alternatively connect the main circuit through the main coil or through' a particular holding coil depending upon the position of the two position switch means as defined by each of the spring switches 4|, 42, and 43.

This arrangement does much to eliminate the noise experienced with such valves during the holding operation, since the holding solenoids may be made of relatively small dimensions as compared to a solenoid which may be used both for the lifting and holding operations. At the same time there isan important saving in power, since the main solenoid 34 is only on during the movement of a valve plunger from its first to its second position, and a small individual solenoid with its low power consumption is used for the continuous holding operation.

Assuming that the switch is still closed, the plunger I1 will .be returned to its first position when this switch is opened as shown in Fig. 1 and all the coils will then be deenergized. It will also be noted that a failure in thepower supplied to the leads 48 will cause the valve plunger I! to drop to its position closing the port I4.

From the above description it should now be obvious that upon closing any one of the switches 55, 56, or 51, or any number thereof, the yoke 36 will move to place all of the plungers I1, I 8, and I9 in their second-positions and, depending upon the numberof switches closed, the selected one or ones of the plungers will be held in their second positions and the unselected one or ones will return to the first position. Since each of the circuits through the switches 55, 56, and 51 is independent of the other, the operation of any one of the valve plungers may be obtained independently of the others, and the plungers need not be sequentially selected for holding in their second positions.

With the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1, the operation of the selector switch means defined by the separate switches 55, 56, and 51 first causes energization of' the main operating solenoid 34 which is subsequently deenergized through the mechanical action of the push pins I10, I80, and I90, which move their respective spring contacts 4|, 42, and 43 into electrical contact withthe upper set of fixed contacts 4Ib, 42b, and 43b to cause selective energization of the holding coils 3|, 32, and 33. Thus with this arrangement the operation of the selector switch. means causes the sequential energization of the main operating solenoid, to move the valve plungers upwardly, and the deenergization of the main operating solenoid after the plungers have been moved upwardly, and the subsequent energize.- tion of a selected one of the holding coils.

In Fig. 2 an apparatus arrangement is illustrated in which the selection of any one of the valve plungers for holding immediately energizes both the selected holding solenoid and the main operating solenoid. The mechanical movement of the plunger causes it to deenergize the main operating solenoid as soon as the plunger is in its second position so as to be held by its associated holding solenoid. Referring now to Fig. 2, a valve actuating mechanism is illustrated which is, to all intents and purposes, a substan-,-

tial mechanical duplicate of the one illustrated, in Fig. 1 except that the upper insulating strip 44 (shown in Fig. 1) and its contacts Mb, 421); and 43b have been eliminated. In Fig. 2 holding solenoids 1|, I2, and 13 are shown positioned between spaced insulating strips 14 and 15 which are supportingly engaged by a frame member 16 which is attached to a valve casing cover 11. Valve plungers 18, 19, and BI are shown extending through the cover 11 and provided at their upper ends with push pins 180, 19c, and Me respectively, which may be considered as extensions of the plungers. The push pins extend through magnetically permeable cores 82,-

83, and 84 of the respective holding solenoids, and are adapted on their upward movement to move spring switch arms 85, 86, and 81 upwardly. The spring switch arms are shown attached to the insulating strip 15. Fixed contacts 88, 89, and 9I are shown attached to the insulating strip 15 and respectively associated with the spring switch contacts 85, 86, and 81 so as to establish electrical connectiontherewith when the members to be controlled such as the valve plungers 18, 19,

. 96 adapted for connection to a power sourceand a secondary 91 having one side connected through conductors 98 and 99 to one side of each of the holding solenoids II, 12, and 13. The conductor 98 is also connected through a lead IM to one side of the main operating solenoid 92.

1 The remaining side of each of the holding solenoids is connected to its associated spring switch through conductors I02, I03, and I04, respectively. The fixed contacts 88, 89, and 9I are connected together through the agency of a conductor- I05 which is connected through a lead I06 to the remaining side of the main operating solenoid 92. The remaining side of the transformer secondary 91 a lead I01 to due side of selector switch means comprising switches I08, I09, and III which are is connected J by respectively connected by conductors H2, H3, and H4 to the spring switches 85, 86, and 81.

Assuming that it is desirable to hold the member 19 in its second position, switch I09 is closed,

and a circuit through the secondary 91 is established through switch I09, lead I I3, spring switch 86, fixed contact 89, conductors I05 and I06, main operating solenoid 92, conductor IOI, conductor 98, and back to the remaining side of the secondary 91. This causes the core 93 to move upwardlyand move the yoke 94 to carry the members 18, 19, and 8I to their second positions. At the same time, the closing of switch I09 causes the energization of holding solenoid 12 by the fiow of current through leads H3. and I03 through the holding solenoid 12 and through leads 99 and 98 back to the transformer secondary 91. Hence, the selected holding solenoid is energized as soon as the selector switch means is closed. However, the holding solenoid does not produce sufficient pulling power to lift the selected member by itself.

The upward movement of the members to be controlled causes their associated push pins to break the circuits leading to the main operating solenoid through the spring switches 85, 8 6, and 81, so that the unselected ones of the members return to their first positions while the selected one, in this case the member 19, is held in its second position through the attraction between the core 83 and the flange 1%. At the same time, this holding operation maintains the spring switch 86 out of engagement with its fixed contact 89 so as to maintain the circuit through the main operating solenoid open. As soon as the main coil 92 is deenergized, the yoke 94 returns to its rest position as shown, independently of the valve plungers.

If it is desired to subsequently hold the members. 18 and BI in their second positions, this may be accomplished by closing-switches I08 and III, since all of the circuits operate independently of one another. opening of the switches I08, I09, or III, the as u sociated members to be controlled will fall to their first positions. In case of power failure, the selected members will return to their second positions upon the restoration of power, if the selector switch means is still closed.

Upon inspection of Fig. 2, it will be seen'that there is a separate series circuit from each of the conductors H2, H3, and H4 through the holding coils II, 12, and 13, respectively. These circuits are established selectively upon op- 55 eration of the selector switch means defined by the switches I08, I09, and II I. A separate normally closed branch circuit is in parallel with each of these circuits arid each of these circuits leads through the main coil 92. These circuits are normally closed by the respective spring contacts 85, 86, and 81 and are opened when the plungers are in their second positions.

Referring. to Fig. 3, an arrangement is illustrated with which the members to be controlled are held in their second positions through the operation of mechanical latches, actuated electromagnetically, rather than with holding solenoids as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Members to be controlled, such as valve plungers I20 and I2I extending through a valve cover plate I22 are shown with their shank portions I201; and I2Ia extending through guides I23 and I24 respectively, which are mounted on a cross strip I25 held in Upon power failure or the.

are provided with horizontally extending magnetically permeable cores I29 and I3I respectively and with pivotally mounted armatures I32 and I33 respectively, of magnetically permeable material which are adapted for attraction to the cores I29 and I3I upon energization of the coils I21 and I28. The shank portions I20a and I2Ic of the members I20 and I2I are each provided with wedge-shaped dogs I20b and I2Ib respectively, in the form of rings located near the upper extremities thereof. The dogs are adapted for engagement with wedge-shaped projections I32a and I33a of the respective armatures I32 and I33 when the members I20 and I2I are in their upper positions. An insulating strip I34 is shown mounted above the strip I25 and in spaced relation thereto. Spring switches I35 and I36 are shown mounted on the strip I34in position to be engaged by push pins I20a and I2Ic-respectively and in contact with fixed lower contacts I31 and I40 respectively. Another insulating strip I38 is shown mounted on the frame member I26 in spaced relation to and above the strip I34 and carrying upper fixed contacts I39 and I respectively cooperating to make connections with the spring switches I35 and I36 when they are in their upper positions. .A main operating solenoid I42 is shown mounted on the frame member I26 and positioned above the strip I38 and provided with an axially movable, magnetically permeable core member I43 which is attached to a yoke I44 which extends around the holding coils I21 and I28 and slidingly engages the members I20 and I2I. The yoke I 44 is adapted upon upward movement to, engage flanges I200 and I2Ic on the members I20 and I2I and move them upwardly to their second position, in which position the member I20 is shown. In this embodiment, the flanges need not be magnetically permeable, since they are not used as holding armatures.

Electrically, the apparatus in Fig. 3 is wired in the same general manner as the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, that is, the two position switch means defined by the switches I35 and I36 operates to establish the alternate circuits first through the main coil and then through a particular holding coil as in Fig. l. A transformer I45 is provided with a primary I46 which is adapted for connection to a source of electrical power, and with a secondary I41 which has one side connected through leads I48 and I49 to one side of the main operating solenoid I42. The

, lead I48 is also connected to a lead I5I which is connected to one side of each of the holding coils I21 and I28. The lower fixed contacts I31 and I40 are connected together and to the remaining side of the main operating solenoid through the agency of a conductor I52. The upper fixed contacts I39 and I are connected to the remaining side of each of the holding coils I21 and I28 through conductors I53 and I54 respectively. The remaining side of the transformer secondary I41 is connected through a conductor I55 to one side of a selector switch means comprising switches I56 and I51 which are respectively connected through conductors I58 and I59 to the spring switches I35 and I36.

Although switch I56 is shown in its closed position to better illustrate the operation of the apparatus, let us assume that this switch is in its open positionas shown by the dot-dash lines at I56a, the member' I20 will then be in its first or down position and the spring switch I35 will be in contact with the lower fixed contact I31. Upon movement of the switch I56 to its full-line position, the main operating solenoid I42 will be energized by current from the secondary I41 which passes through leads I48, I49, I52, contacts I31 and I35, lead I58, switch I55, and back to secondary I41 through conductor I55. This causes core I43 to be pulled upwardly by the solenoid I42 and the upward movement of the yoke I44 and the consequent movement of the members I20 and I2I to their upper or second position, in which position the member I20 is shown. The armature projection I32a is preferably biased toward the shank I20a by a spring I6I so as to be in ready holding position and yet allow the dog I20b to slide readily thereby on its upward travel. Upward movement of the shank I20a causes the engagement therewith of the spring switch I35 and causes the switch to break contact with the fixed contact I31 to deenergize the main holding solenoid I42 and to subsequently make contact with the upper fixed contact I39 to energize the holding coil-I21 and cause attraction between the core I29 and the armature I32 so that the normal downward bias on the member I20 will now be insufficient to cause the dog I20b to move past the projection I32a. Since the main operating solenoid I42 is now deenergized, the core I43 and the yoke I44 will fall to their first positions as shown. Even though the'projection I33 a is biased toward the shank I2Ib by a spring I62, this bias is sufiiciently small so that the normal downward bias'on the member I2I will allow the .dog I2Ib to slide past the projection I33a so that the member I2I will return to its first position. The bias provided by the spring I6I is also of a comparable magnitude so that upon opening of the switch I56 the dog I20b will slide past the projection I32a and allow the member I20 to return to its first position.

Assuming now that the member I20 is held in its first position and that the switch I56 is closed as shown in Fig. 3, the member I2I may be moved to its second position and held there by closing switch I51. This operation should be obvious in view of the foregoing description.

. In Fig. 4 I have illustrated an apparatus arrangement which embodies the principles.illustrated in Fig. 2 in that a selected one of the individual holding coils is energized immediately upon selection along with the main operating solenoid and this solenoid is deenergized as soon as the member to be controlled has moved to its second position. For all practical purposes the circuit arrangement and. switching operation are the same as in Fig. 2. This form of apparatus issomewhat dilferent than the other forms in that it illustrates the employment of a magnetically operated switch means for disconnecting the main operating solenoid when the selected member to be controlled is in its second position. In this figure members to be controlled, such as valve plungers HI and I12, are shown extending through valve casing cover I13 and into cores of magnetically permeable material I14 and I15 of holding solenoids I16 and I11 respectively. With this arrangement, the upper portions I1Ia and I12a and the flange portions HI!) and H21) of the members "I and I12 respectively are of magnetically permeable material, and the members "Ia and H20. are preferably of such length as to come in close proximity to core plugs I14a-and "51; of magnetically permeable material provided in the respective cores I14 and I15. The holding solenoids I16 and I11 are shown positioned between insulating strips I18 and I19 which are mounted on a frame member I8I. The

upper strip I19 is shown carrying spring contact arms I82 and I83 which are adapted to establish electrical connection with upper fixed contacts I84 and I85 which are mounted on an insulating strip I86 which is supported by the frame member I8I in a position above and spaced from the strip I19. The spring arms I82 and I83 also carry armatures I81 and I88 of magnetically permeable material, which are normally spaced from the core plugs H411 and I15a respectively when the respective members I1I and I12 are in their normal down or first position. This is the position in which the member I1I is shown.

The apparatus also comprises a main operating coil or solenoid I9I which is suitably secured to the frame member I8I at a position above the strip I85 and is provided with an axially movable magnetically permeable core I92 which is suitably linked to a yoke I93 which encompasses the coils I16 and I11 and slidably engages the members HI and I12. Upward movement of the core I92 is transmitted through the yoke I93 to cause upward movement of the-members Ill and I12 when the yoke engages-the Ranges "lb and H21).

For energization of this apparatus I may provide a transformer I94 having a primary I95 adapted for connection to a source of electric current, and a secondary I96 having one side conthrough leads 203 and 204 respectively. The re-' maining side of the transformer secondary I96 is connected through conductor 205 to one side of selector switch means comprising switches 206 and 201 which are respectively connected through conductors 208 and 209 to the; spring switch contacts I82 and I83.

Assuming now that the members HI and I12 are in their normal down or first position, in which position the member I1 I is shown, the closing of switch 206 will establish a circuit through lead 208, lead 203, holding coil I16, lead I99, lead I91, transformer secondary I96, and lead 205,

back to switch 206. This will energize the holding coil' I16 and establish one value of magnetic flux therethrough. However, the magnetic circuit of this holding coil is so proportioned that the magnetic field through the plug I14a produced by the holding coil is insufficient to cause the magnetic armature I81 to draw down and break the connection between the contacts I82 and I84, as longa's the magnetically permeable shank I1 Ia is in theposition shown. Consequent- 1y, connection is also established through the switch contacts I82 and I84, leads 20I and 202, main solenoid I9I, lead I98, and lead I91, back: to the transformer secondary.

This causes energization of the main holding operating solenoid I9I and causes the upward movement of the core I92, which through the yoke I93 engaging the flanges I1Ib and H21) lifts the members HI and I12 to their second positions, in which position the member I12 is shown. The movement'of the shank I1Ia. into the core I14 and into close proximity of the plug I14a reduces the reluctance of the magnetic circuit through the holding solenoid I18 to such an extent that the increase in flux to greater value than it was initially causes the magnetically permeable armature I81 to move downward into contact with the plug Illa and break the connection between the contact I82 and the contact I 84. This deenergizes the main operating solenoid and allows the core 192 and yoke I93 to return to the lower position shown in Fig. 4. At the same time the member IH is held in its second position by magnetic attraction.

Opening the switch 206 will return the member Ill to its first position as shown. The member I12 is shown in its second position and the corresponding selector switch therefor is shown closed. Opening the switch 201 to place it in the position shown by the dot-dash lines at 201a will return the member I12 toits first position.

Although I have only shown my apparatus with two or three members to be controlled, the advantages thereof may be realized when using only a single member or with more than three members. Obviously my invention is not limited for use on valves nor is it necessary for all the members/to be controlled to form part of a single control device. For example, in Fig. 1 each of the valve plungers may be positioned in a separate valve.

When using my apparatus for the control of .a variable fiow valve such as shown in Fig. 1,

the selector switch means comprising the switches 55, 56, and 51, may be incorporated in a multicontact thermostat of any of the well known types. It should be apparent that the switches may be controlled manually or each switch may be controlled automatically so as to be responsive to different conditions, since the members to be controlled may operate separate devices whose operations depend upon separate conditions.

In order to simplify the drawings a cover for the control apparaitushas been omitted in each of the figures. It, is generally preferable to pro vide each apparatus witha tight-fitting cover in a manner well known to the art so as'to protect the apparatus and prevent the leakage of fluid especially when the control apparatus is used as a variable flow gas valve.

It should be apparent that my apparatus is subject to considerable modification, and hence I do not choose to be limited to theillustrative forms described herein but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an electrically operated control device, the combination which comprises: a member to be controlled having a firstposition and a second position and being biased toward the first position; actuating means movable toward and away froma rest position and operable upon movement away from the rest position to move said member toward its second position; a first operating coil associated with said actuating means and operable upon electrical energization to move said actuating means away from its rest position .to cause movement of said member toward its second position; a second operating coil operable upon electrical energization to hold said member to be controlled in its second position; and switch means operated in response to the change in position of said member to first deenergize the first coil and then energize the second coil, whereby said actuating means is allowed to return to its rest position and said member is held in its second position.

2. In an electrically operated control device, the combination which comprises: a. plurality of members to be controlled, each having a first position-and a second position and each beingbiased toward its first position; a first operating coil operable upon electrical energization to move all of said members to their second positions; a plurality of second operating coils, each cooperating with one of said members and each operable upon electrical energization to hold its associated member in its second position; and means operated in response to the change in position of a member which is to be held in its second position 'by energization of its associated second operating coil, for deenergizing the first operating coil.

3. In an electrically operated control device, the combination which comprises: a plurality of members to be controlled, each having a first position and a second position and each being biased toward its first position; a plurality of holding coils each associated with one of said members and each adapted after electrical energization to hold its associated member in its second position when said associated member is in its second position; a main coil for simultaneously moving said plurality of members to their second positions upon electrical energization of said main coil; and means operated in response to the change in position of a selected one of said members, for deenergizing said main coil when said selected member is in position to be held by its associated holding coil.

4. In an electrically operated control device,

the combination which comprises: a plurality thereof toward their second positions; a main operating coil adapted upon electrical energization to move said actuating means; and switch means operated in response to the change in position of a selected one of said members for deenergizing said main coil. I

5. In an electrically operated control device, the combination which comprises: a plurality of members to be controlled, each having a first position and a second position and each being biased toward its first position; a plurality of holding coils each associated with one of said members and each adapted after electrical energization to hold its associated member in its second position when said associated member is in its second position; a main coil for simultane ously moving said plurality of members toward their second positions upon electrical energization of said main coil; a plurality of separate pairs of parallel-connected branch circuitsj separate switch means for each of said pairs of circuits for alternatively connecting one of said circuits of said pair in series with said main coil or for connecting one of said circuits of said pair in series ,with a separate one of the'holding coils,

cuit through its associated holding coil when its associated member is in its second position; and selector switch means for causing selective energization of said branch circuits.

6. In an electrically operated control device, the combination which comprises: a plurality of members to be controlled, each having a first position and, a second position and. each being biased toward its first position; a plurality of holding coils each associated with one of said members and each adapted after electrical energization to hold its associated member in its second position when said associated member is in its second position; a main coil for simultaneously moving said plurality of members toward their second positions upon electrical energization of said main coil; a plurality of main electric series circuits through said main coil, said series circuits each including a pair of separate parallelconnected branch circuits, one of said branch circuitsbeing in series with said main coil; two position switch means for each pair of said branch circuits, each of said switch means being operable in response .to the movement of a separate member toward its second position to open said one of its associated branch circuits and to establish a circuit through its associated holding coil through the other one of its branch circuits when its associated member is in its second, position; and selector switch means for selectively energizing said branch circuits to cause sequential energization and deenergization of saidmain coil and the selective energization of said holding coil upon the operation of said two position switch means. v p

7. In an electrically operated control device, the combination which comprises: a plurality of members to be controlled, each having a first position and a second position and eachbeing biased toward its first position; a plurality oi. holding coils each associated with one of said members and each adapted after electrical energization to hold its associated member in its second position when said associated member is in its second position; a main coil for simultaneously moving said plurality of members toward their second positions upon electrical energization of said main coil; separate switch arms associated with each of said members; a first contact and a second contact for each of said switch arms, each of said switch arms contacting its first contact when its associated member is in its first position and each of said switch arms being' moved from its f rst contact by movement '0: its associated member toward its second position so as to maintain contact with its second contact when its associated member is in its second position; a plurality of separate series electric circuits through said main coil, each of said series circuits including a series connection through a separate one of said switch arms and its associated first contact; selector switch means for causing the selective energization of said circuits to thereby energize said main coil and move said members toward their second positions; and an electric circuit from each of said second contacts through its associated holding coil, whereby the establishment of a connection between the switch arm and its second contact in an energized branch circuit will cause energization of the holding coil associated with said second contact.

8. In an electrically operated control device, the combination which comprises: a plurality of members to be controlled, each having a first position and a second position and each being biased toward its first position; a plurality of holding coils each associated with one of said members and each adapted after electrical energization to hold its associated member in its second positions when said associated member is in its second position; a main coil for simultaneously moving said plurality of members toward their second positions upon electrical energization of said main coil; a separate series circuit through each of said holding coils; a separate series circuit in parallel with each of said firstnamed circuits and each including said main coil as a part thereof; separate switch means in each of said last-named circuits, each of said switch means being associated with a difierent member and each of said switch means being closed when its associated member is in its first position and being operated in response to movement of its associated member to remain open when its associated member is in its second position; and means for selectively energizing said first-named circuits.

9. In an electrically operated control device, thecombination which comprises: a plurality of members to be controlled, each having afirst position and a second position and each being biased toward its first position; a plurality of holding coils each associated with one of said members and each adapted after electrical energization to hold its associated member in its second position when said associated member is in its second position; a main coil for simultaneously moving said plurality of members toward their second positions upon electrical energization of said main coil; a separate series holding circuit through each of said holding coils; a separate series circuit in parallel with each of said holding circuits and each including said main coil as a part thereof, said last-named circuits being normally closed when'said members are in their first positions; means for selectively energizin the holding circuits to thus energize the main coil through a selected one of said secondnamed circuits; and means responsive to movement of the member associated with the selected holding circuit for opening said selected one of said second-named circuits when said member is in its second positionand thereby deenergize said main coil.

10. In an electrically operated control device,

the combination which comprises: a plurality of members to be controlled, each having a first position and a second position and each being biased toward its first position; a plurality of holding coils each associated with one of said members and each adapted after electrical energization to hold its associated member-in its second position when said associated member is in its second position; a main coil for simultaneously moving said plurality of members toward their second positions upon electrical energization of said main coil; a separate series holding circuit through each of said holding coils; a

separate series circuit in parallel with each of said holding circuits and each including said main coil as a part thereof, said last-named circuitsbeing normally closed when said members are in their first positions; means for selectively energizing the holding circuits to thusenergize the main coil through a selected one or said second-named circuits and also to energize a selected holding coil to produce one value of magnetic flux therethrough; and means operated by a greater value of magnetic flux through the selected holding coil for opening said selected one of said second-mentioned circuits and thereby deenergizing said main coil. i

11. In an electrically operated control device, the combination which comprises: a plurality of members to be controlled, each having a first position and a second position and each being biased toward its first position; a plurality of holding coils each associated with one of said members and each adapted after electrical energization to hold its associated member in its second position when said associated member is in its second position; a main coil for simultaneously moving said plurality of members toward their second positions upon electrical energization of said main coil; a separate series holding circuit through each of said holding coils; a separate series circuit in parallel with each of said holding circuits and each including said main' coil as a part thereof, said last-named circuits being normally closed when said members are in their first positions; means for selectively energizing the first-named circuits to thus energize the main coil through a selected one of said second-named circuits; and means engaged by the member associated with the selected holding coil for opening said selected one of said second-namedcircuits when said member is in its second position and thereby deenergizing 'said main coil.

l2. Iri an'electrically operated control device, the combination which comprises: a plurality of members to be controlled, each having a first position and a second position and each being biased toward its first position; a plurality of holding coils each associated with one of said members and each adapted after electrical energization to hold its associated member in its second position when said associated member is in its second position; a main coil for simultaneously moving said plurality of members toward their second positions upon electrical energization of said main coil; a plurality of electric circuits; means for selectively energizing said circuits to provide for the energization of the main coil and the energization of a selected holding coil when its member is in its second position; and switch means engaged by said selected member in its second position for deenergizing said main coil.

13. In an electrically operated control device,

the combination which comprises: a plurality of members to be controlled, each having a first position and a second position and each being biased toward its first position; a plurality of holding coils each associated with one of said members and each adapted after electrical energization to holdrits associated member in its second position when said associated member is in its second position; a main coil for simultaneously movin said plurality of members toward their second positions upon electrical energization of said main coil; a plurality of electric circuits; means for selectively energizing said circuits to provide for the energization of the main coil and the energization of a selected holding coil when its member is in its second position; and switch means located adjacent said selected member and engaged by an end of said member in its second position for deenergizing said main coil.

ROBERT L. GUNTER; 

